Greene County in need of Volunteer firefighters

The Greene County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments needs firefighter volunteers amid short staffing of departments and risk of department closure. The organization is a nonprofit comprised of 14 volunteer fire departments and officials say that volunteer staff has decreased over the years, leaving the organization in need of volunteer help. Fire officials say they used to have about 300 volunteer fire personnel across Greene County, but now that number is closer to 200. With flooding, tornadoes and fires that Greene County has experienced in recent years, staffing is critical and officials welcome anyone who wants to sign up. Requirements to be a volunteer firefighter include completing a 16-hour initial orientation course and taking a 64-hour basic firefighting course. Also live-fire training evolution is required to put in at least 20 hours a week. The organization will be holding basic firefighter skills classes in August that will be open to anyone interested. The organization hopes to recruit more than 20 new volunteer firefighters.